The new school year had begun at U.A. High, and Class 2-A was settling into their second year of hero training. Unfortunately, this year came with some unexpected surprises.
"As some of you might have heard, we are implementing a new dorm system," Aizawa announced, his usual tired expression in place. "Everyone living in the dorms will now have a roommate."
The class erupted in mixed reactions. Some students cheered, excited at the idea of rooming with their friends. Others groaned, mourning the loss of their personal space.
"But don't worry!" boomed All Might, attempting to reassure them. "You've all been paired with someone who will challenge you and help you grow!"
This statement did little to put the students at ease.
"Check the board over there to find your assigned dorm mate," Aizawa instructed, gesturing to a large board covered in names.
Bakugou scowled, already annoyed. He liked having his own space. It was where he could read his novels in peace or watch horror movies without listening to his weak friends freak out. Begrudgingly, he shoved past the crowd and scanned the board for his name.
He prayed it wasn't Kirishima. After their breakup over the summer—something about Kirishima liking girls more or whatever—it would be way too awkward to share a room. They were still friends, sure, but not as close as before.
Then he saw it.
Bakugou Katsuki – Midoriya Izuku.
He froze.
What. The. Hell.
For a solid ten seconds, he just stared, trying to process the absolute stupidity of that decision. Did the teachers really think he and Deku were at the same level? Sure, the nerd was strong—Bakugou would give him that much—but challenging? Please. He could take Midoriya down any day of the week.
And getting along? What kind of joke was that?
His train of thought was interrupted by a familiar, nervous chuckle.
"Well... I guess we're dorm mates then," Midoriya said, scratching the back of his head.
Bakugou shot him a glare before turning and walking off in silence. Behind him, Midoriya sighed and followed.
Once everyone had checked their assignments and gathered their things, Aizawa spoke again.
"Now that you have your dorm partners, head to your assigned rooms. We'll be checking to make sure everyone is in the right place."
The students groaned but obeyed, some more reluctantly than others.
When Bakugou and Midoriya reached their dorm, both pulled out their key cards at the same time, but Midoriya was quicker. With a triumphant beep, the door unlocked.
"Come on, Kacchan!" Midoriya grinned, stepping inside.
Bakugou grumbled under his breath and followed.
The room was mostly the same as before—it was still Bakugou's dorm from last year, after all. The only difference was the pile of boxes on the floor, stuffed with Midoriya's belongings. Most of it, unsurprisingly, was All Might merch.
Bakugou scoffed, flopping onto his bed and pulling out his phone. Midoriya, meanwhile, eagerly began unpacking. That was, until he realized something important.
His bed was missing.
Frowning, he pulled out his phone and called Aizawa.
A tired voice answered. "What is it?"
"Uh, hey, Aizawa-sensei! I just had a quick question."
"Make it quick."
"My bed isn't here. I was wondering when it'll arrive?"
"We're short on staff right now. If you and Bakugou want to come pick it up, that'd be faster than waiting a day or two."
Midoriya hesitated. That meant asking Bakugou for help.
"...Yeah, okay, we'll be there soon," he said before hanging up.
Now came the hard part.
Slowly, he walked over to Bakugou's bed, shifting uncomfortably. Bakugou, noticing the movement, raised an eyebrow.
"The hell do you want, nerd?"
Midoriya swallowed. "Uh... so... my bed isn't here yet. Aizawa said we can go get it now if we don't want to wait."
Bakugou groaned, tossing his phone onto the bed. "Why can't you ask Round Face to help you?"
"I was going to, but she's busy unpacking. And Mina's helping her decorate, and you know how she gets with fashion..."
Bakugou let out a long, suffering sigh. "Ugh, fine. Hurry up. I wanna eat before the day's over."
Midoriya blinked. "It's only six o'clock."
Bakugou glared. "Exactly."
The two made their way to the main dorm area, where Aizawa stood surrounded by several unclaimed beds. As Midoriya went to find his, Bakugou crossed his arms and turned to their teacher.
"Why the hell did you put us in a dorm together?" he demanded.
Aizawa barely looked up. "Because if you two don't stop fighting—or rather, if you don't learn to get along with him—I'll lose my mind."
Bakugou rolled his eyes. "Why does it even matter? He's annoying, weak, and tries too damn hard to be something he's not."
Aizawa's expression didn't change, but there was something in his tone that made Bakugou pause.
"You know, I used to think like that too," Aizawa said simply. "When I was your age, I dismissed certain people. Thought they were weak, that they wouldn't make it." His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of something else—something almost regretful.
Bakugou frowned.
"I learned the hard way that I was wrong," Aizawa continued. "I lost touch with people who mattered. And later, I wished I had given them more of a chance." His gaze met Bakugou's, sharp and knowing. "I don't want you making the same mistakes I did."
Bakugou said nothing. He just looked away, scowling.
"Hey, Kacchan!" Midoriya's voice broke through the tension. "I found my bed!"
Bakugou grumbled but walked over, grabbing one side while Midoriya took the other.
"Thanks, Aizawa-sensei!" Midoriya called as they left.
"See you in class on Monday," Aizawa replied. "You too, Bakugou."
"Whatever," Bakugou muttered.
Back in their dorm, they set the bed up in the corner opposite Bakugou's. Midoriya eagerly unboxed his All Might bedding, smoothing it over the mattress with satisfaction.
Bakugou just rolled his eyes.
Finally, after a long day, Midoriya flopped onto his bed with a relieved sigh.
Surprisingly, Bakugou didn't complain. Maybe it was because he was tired, or maybe—just maybe—Aizawa's words still lingered in his head.
Either way, he shot one last glance at Midoriya, already dozing off, before sighing and closing his eyes as well.